Brainstorming is the most widely known tool for idea generation in groups.

The term was introduced by Alex Faickney Osborn and presented in his book Applied Imagination (1953).

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Osborn’s four guidelines

Osborn (1953) presented four guidelines for brainstorming sessions:

• Criticism is ruled out, that is; judgment should be deferred to after the session
• Freewheeling is welcomed, that is, participants are encouraged to share wild ideas
• Quantity is wanted, that is, more ideas increase the chances to better ideas.
• Combination and improvement are sought - participants should feel free to build on each other ideas.
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Osborn’s activities

Osborn (1953) also suggested detailed activities to carry out:

1. before the brainstorming
2. during the brainstorming
3. after the brainstorming

Examples of such activities are:

• Prepare the group of participants
• Prepare the task to be worked on
• Hinder the barriers for a successful brainstorming
• Understand the role of the group leader.